Bucks speak on their 147-134 overtime victory over Hornets in NBA Cup
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and players Gary Harris and Kyle Kuzma speak on their 147-134 overtime victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
The Milwaukee Bucks will try to sweep a back-to-back for the first time this season when they host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Fiserv Forum. A win would also give the Bucks consecutive victories for the first time since Oct. 28-30.
The team is coming off an overtime victory over Charlotte on Nov. 14. The Lakers are playing their second night in a row also, as they arrived late from New Orleans after beating the Pelicans.
Is Giannis playing?
Probably. Despite logging 40 minutes against the Hornets – a season high – he is listed as probable to play despite managing pain in his left knee. Antetokounmpo enters the game averaging 32.6 points, 11.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. He is also shooting 10.1 free throws per game.
Is Luka playing?
Yes. Los Angeles star Luka Dončić also played 40 minutes on Nov. 14, but he is not on the injury report. The point guard is averaging 33.7 points, 9.2 assists and 8.9 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 11.3 free throw attempts per game.
Is LeBron playing?
No. NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James is out, as he has yet to play this season due to sciatica. James, who will turn 41 in December, is coming off a season in which he was an all-NBA second team member and averaged over 24 points per game. He is currently working his way back with Los Angeles’ G League team.
When was the last time LeBron James played in Milwaukee?
Dec. 2, 2022.
Since moving to the Western Conference for the 2018-19 season, fans in Milwaukee only have one opportunity per regular season to see James. James, now in his seventh season with the Lakers, has not played often at Fiserv Forum.
He had a triple-double (21 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) in a Lakers loss on Dec. 19, 2019. In a Lakers win on Jan. 21, 2021, he scored 34 points, and in his last appearance on Dec. 2, 2022, he scored 28 points, had 11 rebounds and eight assists in a Lakers win.
James had not played the Bucks at all, home or away, each of the last two seasons.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be simulcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and CBS 58 with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.
What time is the Bucks game?
It is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip off.
Bucks probable starting lineup
Guards: Ryan Rollins, AJ Green
Forwards: Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center: Myles Turner
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers changed his starting lineup for the first time on Nov. 14, moving Gary Trent Jr. to the bench in favor of Kuzma. Rivers said the change was due to the Bucks needing more size on the defensive end for rebounding and some matchups, so it feels that the change may not be a temporary one. Dončić is 6 feet, 8 inches and Kuzma is 6-10, so it is likely Kuzma will draw that assignment most chances.
- Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
- Kevin Porter Jr., out (right meniscus surgery)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (left patellar tendinopathy)
Bucks vs. Lakers odds
Los Angeles is a 1.5-point favorite on the road over Milwaukee, with the over/under set at 229.5 points per BetMGM.
